Building a Climate-Ready Nation: Case Studies on Enhancing National Resilience Against High-Impact Weather Events with Holistic Approach

From hailstorms, droughts, and severe winter weather to typhoons, hurricanes, and floods, extreme weather conditions and natural disasters impact every region across the globe. The past three decades have exhibited an increase in the number of hazard events and an increase in the number of affected populations globally, making reliable and accurate weather and climate observations as important as ever.

Weather resilience for all nations is vital for addressing the challenges of our changing climate. This urgency is reinforced by the World Meteorological Organization's (WMO) Early Warnings for All (EW4ALL) initiative, which seeks to provide universal protection against extreme weather events by 2027.

Nation’s best defense against extreme weather events is an integrated complete project, that significantly increases the observation infrastructure. From weather observation equipment and forecasting software to training meteorologists to utilize the hardware and software, Vaisala’s approach to meteorological infrastructure and capability development fundamentally improves the nation’s ability to provide essential weather- and climate-related warnings and services, thus helping to protect lives and property from natural hazards as well as helping to monitor and mitigate the effects of climate change. Beyond avoiding losses and saving lives, hydro-meteorological service benefits include increased productivity and efficiency on weather-sensitive sectors, such as agriculture and transportation.

Data is inevitable for every weather and climate forecast, yet we know there are gaps in weather data globally and locally. To fully understand and prepare locally for extreme weather events, we must take into consideration and understand the weather and climate conditions across borders. For example, the gaps in the Caribbean or in the Pacific impact the US forecast accuracy.

Reflecting on holistic Meteorological Infrastructure and Capability Development projects that Vaisala has delivered globally to several nations to improve their nationwide weather resiliency, this presentation focuses on ways in which nations’ readiness, responsiveness, and resilience to high-impact weather events have been improved and why holistic and customized capability development is important in comparison to scattered meteorology networks.

Among the case studies is a compelling story from the Bahamas. In late 2016, The Bahamas decided to invest in a new nationwide meteorology network to improve its weather forecasting capabilities. In a small island nation prone to hurricanes like The Bahamas, a comprehensive storm detection and warning system can save lives. Based on their long history of working with Vaisala technology, the Department engaged Vaisala to help make the country stormproof.

When Hurricane Dorian hit the Bahamas in September 2019, the technology was put to the test. With the weather monitoring and warning solution in place, The Bahamas Department of Meteorology was able to send out more accurate information and alerts which enabled thousands of citizens and organizations to prepare for and seek shelter from the hurricane.

This study further underscores the evolving requirements for advancements in weather resilience, as the global climate continues to undergo transformation. As the Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador, Vaisala reiterates its commitment to collaborating with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and fellow Ambassadors to bolster national resilience, preparedness, and responsiveness to extreme weather events. By analyzing the holistic development of meteorological capabilities, this presentation highlights the pivotal role of technological partnerships in cultivating climate-ready nations.